Factors Affecting Reproductive Performance (Estrus Detection) Flashcards
SR
Heat expression by cows, and its detection by herd persons → Improving SR is the most important
The Primary “Sure” sign in Estrus Detection is …
the Standing behavior
Standing behavior occurs …. times during the estrus period
20 to 55
Each mount in Standing behavior lasts for ..
5 sec
Standing behavior should be seen
Twice in 30 min Or, Once + secondary signs
Secondary esrtous Signs
- SAG (sexually active group)
- Ruffled tailhead + rear of the animal may be soiled with mud
- Vocalization(bawling)
- Smelling and& licking the perineum of other cows
- Clear mucus discharge coming from vulva
- Moistness ad redness of vulva
- Frequent urination
- Mounting other cows
- Restlessness and increased activity (2-3 times more active)
- Spending less time resting an & ruminating
- Reduced milk yield and appetite
- When she has access to the bull, the two animals lick each other, and the cow often mounts the bull before she stands to be mounted-by him
- Bloody mucus (metestrus bleeding)
Why Secondary Signs are not surable?
It can appears in proestrus, estrus, metestrus
Bloody mucus (metestrus bleeding)
It’s not a sign of heat it indicates that the cow was in heat and doesn’t mean that she failed to conceive
Estrus Detection Aids
Any aid must be regarded as no more than a supplement
No Substitute for Visual Observation
- Mount detectors
- Activity monitors
- Progesterone assay (Milk progesterone test)
Mount detectors
Tailhead Painting
Mechanical Patches
Electronic mount detectors (telemetric system)
Detector animals
Tailhead Painting
A strip of calk or paint is applied in the midline over the sacrum and base tail, It’s inexpensive and large group of cow can be marked in short time
Mechanical Patches
Capsules : Kamar patch - Bulling Beacon
Self-adhesive patch, Estrotect and Estrus Alert
Electronic mount detectors (telemetric system)
Heat Watch system
External or implantable pressure sensors provide continuous information on mounting activity
Detector animals
- Teaser animals are those showing interest in an estrous cow
- Effective way
- More effective with a marking device or used with tailhead marking
Teaser animals can be
Modified bulls (vasectomized or penis deflected), or cows or steers treated with testosterone
Activity monitors
- Cows are more active during estrus
- They are attached to one hind leg (for walking activity), or neck collar (for head and neck movement)
- Mostly telemetric system
Mostly telemetric system
Activity monitors
….. is a good indicator by Milk progesterone test of coming estrus
Low blood & milkP4 at the end of the luteal phase
Automated system … measures progesterone concentration at every milking is available
(Herd Navigator TM)
Milk progesterone will be high in ….
diestrus
Milk progesterone test
- Low blood & milkP4 at the end of the luteal phase is a good indicator of coming estrus
- Automated system (Herd Navigator TM) measures progesterone concentration at every milking is available
- Milk progesterone will be high in diestrus
Other uses
1. pregnancy diagnosis
2. detecting embryo losses
3. ovarian cysts
Heat Detection Errors
- 10—15% of cows presented for AI are not in heat (Luteal phase)
- 15% Of cows presented for AI at times not optimal for conception
- The cow is in estrus but not detected
The main reasons for Heat Detection Errors are
- Incorrect identification of animals that are in estrus (clear ID)
- Failure to appreciate the true signs of estrus (assigning trained persons)
Cows will not exhibit many signs of estrus in some situations
- Crowded situation
- During feeding
- Milking
- Extreme weather
- Being tied
- Kept on slippery or muddy floors
…. allow cows to interact
Loose housing systems and pasture
To feel safe when mount or being mounted
Good footing surface
…. is better than concrete floor (more slippery)
A dirt floor
Time and Frequency of Observation
More signs of estrus occur during night (This explains why visual heat detector efficiency usually low)
Watch cows at least 3 times a day, 30 minutes each (8.00 am, 2.00 and 9.00 pm)
More signs of estrus occur during …
night
How Lameness predisposes cows to anestrus
- Lame cows → low Fl → weight loss → NEB esp. during early lactation
2.Pain
Feet and leg problems should be minimized by …
trimming hoofs periodically and treating infected feet
The duration and intensity of estrus increase as the ..
number of animals in the sexually active group (SAG) increases
…. will concentrate staff effort of estrus detection
Grouping cows according to calving dates
How Can I increase the size of SAG?
By grouping cows according to calving dates
